Sounds like a good idea, although I think perhaps a more horizontal tank would be better for you in the long term, I suppose any vessel can be made to work.

Personally I prefer to see very thin sand beds in the display and deeper beds in the fuge, but it's all debatable and there is more than one road to success. Chaetomorpha and Gracilaria are ideal for nutrient export. Mangroves, not so good. Here are a couple of links to get you started...

Thanks for the articles, they have been a big help. As you suggested, I plan on making the refugium the deep sand bed and keeping the main tank as is, about 1 inch.
I still plan to try and balance both function and appearance (in that order). But around our house, watching the odd and small creatures is more fun than watching the fish or corals. Don't get me wrong, I love a good coral and fish display, that's why I want the refugium, cleaner water for te main tank. But it's the small father dusters, brittle stars, shrimp and anemones in the main tank that are fun to feed and watch.

Thanks again,
Ron_________________I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it!

Ahhh yes, they are all fascinating to watch and I wish you the best of success, please come back and post your progress, photos, updates so others will benefit._________________Keepin' marines happy for 25 years